ROHTAS INDUSTRIES LTD. & ANR. ETC. vs THE CHAIRMAN, BIHAR STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court examined the validity of the Bihar State Electricity Board's tariff structure under Section 49 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, which classified consumers into categories for the imposition of a fuel surcharge. The Court held that the classification was not arbitrary and did not violate Article 14 of the Constitution, as it aimed to encourage industrial development by offering lower tariffs to certain categories. The appeals challenging the surcharge were dismissed, affirming the Board's authority to set differentiated tariffs.